Edge-styling multi-tool

ABSTRACT

A versatile edge-styling multi-tool includes a handle with first end that terminates in an integrally molded comb portion having a plurality of teeth, and a second end that terminates in a brush portion having a plurality of bristles. The comb portion may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material, whereas the brush portion may be made from a softer material. The second end of the handle may include a flared, integrally molded paddle shape, and the brush portion may be constructed of a sheath with soft bristles that stretches over the paddle shape. The tool may further include an integrally molded flat paddle shape and an elongated tooth for selecting individual hairs for edge designs.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Ser. No. 63/104,931 filed Oct. 23, 2020, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hair styling tools and, in particular, to a tool for detailed edge styling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of hairstyles, including buns, weaves, dreadlocks, cornrolls, braids, wraps, and wigs, require a variety of took. When the hair is arranged on top of the head, as with an “up-do,” softer, fuzzy hair at the hairline may be particularly difficult to manage. Edge control is often an important aspect for black hair styling.

Conventional bristle brushes are too harsh, typically too large in nature, and do not provide the ability to deliver the desired style to edge hairs. Toothbrushes are sometime used, but they do not provide many styling options. While dedicated “edge brushes” do exist, they, too, are limited in versatility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention resides in an edge-styling multi-tool that is significantly more versatile that previous and existing tools. The preferred embodiment includes an elongated handle having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the handle terminates in an integrally molded comb portion having a plurality of teeth, and the second end of the handle terminates in a brush portion having a plurality of bristles. The brush portion is preferably made of a material that is different from the handle and comb portion; in particular, the comb portion may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material, whereas the brush portion may be made from a softer material.

The second end of the handle may terminate into a flared, integrally molded paddle shape, and the brush portion may be constructed of a sheath with soft bristles that stretches over the paddle shape.

The edge-styling multi-tool may further include an integrally molded flat paddle shape on an opposite side from the teeth of the comb. The distal-most portion of the comb preferably includes an elongated tooth for selecting individual hairs for edge designs. The elongated tooth may be spaced-apart from the other teeth.

The teeth of the comb, and the bristles of the brush, may be parallel to one another, and pointed in the same or opposite directions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an oblique view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a detail drawing that illustrates how the sides of the tool may include a plurality of raised protrusions to receive and retain a flexible sheath with integrally molded bristles;

FIG. 2 is one side view of the tool; and

FIG. 3 is an opposing side view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention improves upon existing edge brushes by providing a multi-purpose styling tool that combines a semi-rigid comb at one end with a soft brush at the other. FIG. 1A is an oblique view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. The tool 100 features a first end 102 including a comb portion 104, and an opposing end 106 including a brush portion 108. Between the two ends there is a shaft portion 110 convenient to gripping by a user.

The comb end 102 and shaft 110 are preferably constructed from the same integrally molded plastic piece. Any suitable plastic may be used, though in the preferred embodiment a flexible yet semi-rigid “unbreakable” plastic such as polypropylene is used. As shown in FIG. 1B, the shaft terminates in an integrally molded paddle shape 107, the sides of which may include a plurality of raised protrusions 109. The brush portion is constructed as a flexible sheath 112 with integrally molded bristles about ¼″ in length. Any suitable soft, pliant polymeric material may be used, though in the preferred embodiment a silicone or latex is used. The handle and brush portions may be of any color.

The comb portion of the tool preferably includes at least one longer tooth at the comb end of the tool, enabling the user to single out single strands or groups of hair for individual styling, particularly at the edge of the hairline. While the teeth of the comb are generally ½″to ⅝″ in length, the extended tooth is preferably spaced apart from the other teeth and ⅛″ or longer than the other teeth. The opposite side of the comb may contain a flattened paddle shape 111 also useful for different grooming purposes.

The tool has an over length of about 7 inches, with the comb portion being about 1.5″ long, the brush portion being about 1.25″ long, and the handle between being in the range of 4.25″ The invention is not limited in terms of these dimensions or the relative sizes of the various parts depicted in the drawings. FIG. 2 is one side view of the tool, and FIG. 3 is an opposing side view. 

1. An edge-styling multi-tool, comprising: an elongated handle having first and second ends; wherein the first end of the handle terminates in an integrally molded comb portion having a plurality of teeth; and wherein the second end of the handle terminates in a brush portion having a plurality of bristles.
 2. The edge-styling multi-tool of claim 1, wherein the brush portion is made of a material that is different from the handle and comb portion.
 3. The edge-styling multi-tool of claim 1, wherein the comb portion is made of a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material and portion is made from softer material.
 4. The edge-styling multi-tool of claim 1, wherein: the second end of the handle terminates into a flared, integrally molded paddle shape; and the brush portion is constructed of a sheath with soft bristles that stretches over the paddle shape.
 5. The edge-styling multi-tool of claim 1, further including an integrally molded flat paddle shape on an opposite side from the teeth of the comb.
 6. The edge-styling multi-tool of claim 1, wherein the distal-most portion of the comb includes an elongated tooth.
 7. The edge-styling multi-tool of claim 1, wherein the distal-most portion of the comb includes an elongated tooth spaced-apart from the other teeth.
 8. The edge-styling multi-tool of claim 1, wherein the teeth of the comb and the bristles of the brush are parallel to one another.
 9. The edge-styling multi-tool of claim 1, wherein the teeth of the comb and the bristles of the brush are parallel to one another and pointed in the same direction.
 10. The edge-styling multi-tool of claim 1, wherein the teeth of the comb and the bristles of the brush are parallel to one another and pointed in opposite directions. 